06Mar 2023 by Pat Geddie
How Will I Pay My Medical Bills?

How Will I Pay My Medical Bills?

Car Accident
If you have been injured in a motor vehicle accident in the state of Florida you may be wondering, how will my medical bills be paid?  There are several different options available to cover your medical bills after a car accident, including: ·       No-fault auto insurance (“PIP”): If you own an operable vehicle in the state of Florida you are required to have Personal Injury Protection coverage from an auto insurance company.  There is a hierarchy: (1) Do you own an operable vehicle, if so, you are required to have PIP; (2) If you don’t own an operable vehicle, BUT you live with a BLOOD RELATIVE with PIP, you must make a claim through the policy of your relative; (3) If you don’t own an operable vehicle or live with a blood relative with…
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05Jan 2023 by Pat Geddie
Were You in an Accident While Visiting Florida?

Were You in an Accident While Visiting Florida?

Car Accident
Many people visit Florida each year for winter break to escape colder temperatures and enjoy the holidays in the sand and sun. Unfortunately, many people have their vacations disrupted due to a car accident or another accidental injury. These injuries can be costly and have long-term effects, and many people wonder - what do we do if we had an accident while visiting Florida? The answer is complicated. Florida is a no-fault state for auto accidents, which means crash victims must file claims with their own personal injury protection (PIP) coverage first. Only if they have higher damages and serious injuries can victims file a claim to seek compensation from the at-fault driver’s insurer. Not everyone visiting from out of state has PIP insurance, however, as only 12 states are…
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29Nov 2022 by Pat Geddie
Drunk Drivers Can Disrupt Your Thanksgiving Holiday

Drunk Drivers Can Disrupt Your Thanksgiving Holiday

Car Accident
Thanksgiving is viewed as the unofficial kickoff of the holiday season. Some people like to celebrate holidays with alcohol, which is their right. However, they do not have the legal right to drink and drive. Their illegal actions can place you and your family in danger. Roughly 36% of motor vehicle fatalities over the Thanksgiving weekend happen in accidents that are connected with alcohol consumption. Although authorities do their best to enforce DUI laws, they are largely powerless to stem the rising tide of drunk driving accidents. The risk of being involved in a drunk driving accident rises sharply over the entire Thanksgiving weekend. The night before Thanksgiving is often known as “Blackout Wednesday” because of a long tradition of binge drinking. This night coincides with one of the busiest…
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06Sep 2022 by Pat Geddie
Settlement Alert

Settlement Alert

Car Accident
Settlement Alert: $3,300,000.00 Settlement for a Volusia County Disputed Liability Motor Vehicle Accident. What happened: Our client was T-Boned by a Commercial Vehicle after making a U-Turn. Our client was thrown from the vehicle and spent almost 30 days in a Coma. As expected, her recovery is ongoing and will continue for the rest of her life. What We Learned: Hiring a property damage/accident reconstruction expert immediately after the accident, before knowing the policy limits and before knowing whether the other party accepts liability is imperative to gaining the presuit upperhand against a multi billion dollar insurance company. I understand that this cannot be done on every case. Some attorneys don't have the means to take this step and for certain cases it is NOT necessary. On this case, it…
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06Aug 2022 by Pat Geddie
Who is Responsible for Your Car Crash?

Who is Responsible for Your Car Crash?

Car Accident
After you have been injured in a car crash, you can only obtain financial compensation if you can prove that someone else was responsible for your crash. Accidents do happen, and sometimes, the insurance companies can determine that one driver was at fault. Legal responsibility depends on a finding that one driver was negligent. Every driver owes a duty of care to other drivers on the road around them. They have an obligation to act as a reasonable driver would under the circumstances. The insurance companies (or a jury) would look at the actions of each driver involved in a crash. You would prove what the other driver did by gathering evidence. Then, the driver’s actions would be compared with what a reasonable driver would have done. For example, a…
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02Jun 2022 by Pat Geddie
How Does a PIP Claim Work in Florida?

How Does a PIP Claim Work in Florida?

Car Accident
In Florida, you can still receive some money to pay for your accident-related expenses, even if you are not able to prove that someone else was responsible for the crash. Every auto insurance policy has a limited amount of no-fault protection that helps you no matter what. Florida has tight limits on the amount of PIP coverage. In addition, PIP will only cover part of your damages. However, PIP coverage will provide the following: Medical expenses (covers 80% of your expenses up to the cap)Lost wages (covers 60%)Death benefits for your family (limited to $5,000) PIP claims do not cover pain and suffering associated with your accident injuries. PIP claims are submitted in the same way as any insurance claim. In this case, the insurance company would not need to…
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31Mar 2022 by Pat Geddie
The Main Cause of Car Accidents

The Main Cause of Car Accidents

Car Accident
Car accidents happen in many ways, and we often see headlines about drunk drivers or drag racers causing deadly crashes. However, the primary cause of car accidents in the United States in modern times is distracted driving. While not as dramatic as road rage or intoxicated driving, distracted driving is a pervasive problem on our roads. Distracted driving these days often involves our devices. Smartphones, smartwatches, iPads, and more can distract a driver and cause them to crash. Whether it is a quick check of a text or a glance at a GPS map, it is enough to cause a devastating car accident. Many people believe that hands-free systems in their vehicles are significantly safer than handheld devices. While they might be somewhat safer, there are still plenty of risks…
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31Dec 2021 by Pat Geddie
Were You in a Delivery Truck Accident?

Were You in a Delivery Truck Accident?

Car Accident
If you have been hurt in a delivery truck accident, the same negligence rules apply to your case as would in any other personal injury case. Your lawyer would need to prove that the driver acted unreasonably under the circumstances. This could include: Making an illegal turn to pull into a driveway or street to make a deliveryDistracted driving because the delivery person was looking at a device to see where they were goingSpeeding because the driver was trying to make all of their deliveries on schedule Suing the Company for a Delivery Truck Accident The delivery truck driver usually works for a company (unless they have been classified as an independent contractor). The company that employs them is responsible for all of their actions that happen during the scope…
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27Nov 2021 by Pat Geddie
Holding Drunk Drivers Liable for Your Injuries

Holding Drunk Drivers Liable for Your Injuries

Car Accident
With the winter holidays underway, many people will raise a glass of wine or champagne at gatherings with co-workers, friends, or family. Unfortunately, some of those people will choose to drive home, causing accidents and disrupting the lives of others who sustain serious injuries. If a drunk driving accident caused you injuries, that driver should be held fully accountable for their actions. Speak with an Oviedo and Casselberry car accident attorney right away. Criminal DUI Cases vs. Injury Claims After a drunk driver hits you, the police should arrive at the scene and identify that the driver is impaired. This will usually result in an arrest and criminal charges for driving under the influence (DUI) against the driver. You might think that this criminal case would also address your injuries…
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18Oct 2021 by Pat Geddie
How Insurance Claims Work after a Car Accident in Florida

How Insurance Claims Work after a Car Accident in Florida

Car Accident
If you are in a car accident and suffer injuries, you likely know that you will need to deal with insurance companies. In most states, the injury victims file claims against the insurance policy of the at-fault driver and collect benefits from their liability coverage. However, the current system works quite differently in Florida, as we are a no-fault state for auto coverage. Instead of requiring drivers to have liability insurance, Florida law requires drivers to carry personal injury protection (PIP) coverage. This is no-fault coverage that should kick in no matter who was to blame for the crash. Even if someone else caused your accident, you would still need to begin with a claim against your own PIP policy. PIP insurance coverage is limited, however. The policy will cover:…
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